15 SEP 2009

We started Sunday Off pretty weak and our poor attitudes stayed with us on our second off base run.  It was our last 2 mile off base run as they only get longer from here.  After our run, Chief Stanton had the company sit on the quarterdeck and observe some of the lives that have been lost from our fellow military members during our duration at Cape May.  She asked us all to think about the importance of time and how every second matters.  After that we had another company meeting, recruits only, to attempt to motivate us from within.  It seemed to help, because Monday went pretty well for the most part.  We started off the day with class on Fire Fighting, and learned how to properly put on our Fire Protective Gear, and also how to use Fire Extinguishers.  After evening chow we picked up our tropical blue dress pants and Service Dress jackets from the tailor.  We all tried them on to ensure that they fit.  The entire company was really excited to see how professional we began to look.  The whole day we were moving quickly and working together; however, when we were dismissed to shower and change, we left the heads (bathrooms) in a disastrous state.  We left clothes and hangers everywhere.  We have a tendency to take 1 step forward, and 2 steps back at times.  After that stunt Chief Stanton did not even want to see or speak to us.  We decided as a company to not sulk about our error and to learn from our mistakes and move on. 

Tuesday morning went really well.  We had our practical training, which was our hands on work with the fire extinguishers and fire protective gear.  There was a drill where we each put out a small fire with a CO2 extinguisher.  After that, our Section Commander Chief Hampton, administered our Manual of arms test.  Passing our manual of arms test is not only a graduation requirement, but was also a requirement for on-base liberty.  We made a few noticeable errors; however, the company was in sync and moved with snap, and was awarded a score of 8 out of a possible 10.  We all knew we could have done better, but the important thing is that we all worked together and passed as a team.  We then headed to the Gym to have our first water fitness class.  It consisted of pushups, flutter kicks, and laps in the pool.  Later we went to travel class and were given our reporting date to our new units and details on getting there.  Last week Chief Stanton assembled the "Davinci Team", who will be responsible for designing our company shirts and sweatshirts- along with a painted ditty bag for each of the Company Commanders.  The preliminary designs are coming out great and we can't wait to see the finished product.  The next few days will be quite busy.

19 SEP 09

We have accomplished a lot this week, Wednesday we had our final firefighting class.  It focused on Hose Handling Techniques.  Our task was to quickly suit up, stay together, keep close to the ground and follow the hose to the fire.  The room was filled with smoke and it was hard to see or hear anything over our breathing due to the second stage regulators.  The hose had a lot of pressure; however, the force behind it was manageable. 

The ceremonial drill team was formed in week 5, although a week later than normal, they are practicing away and making progress.  Their routine is coming together, and their focus is on mastering the moves they know.  Chief Stanton Taught a class called "Carrying forth the Legacy" which taught us some of the Coast Guard Traditions, and also made us aware of how we can help carry on our legacy.  Our military ID Cards were issued and recruits have been working on travel arrangements.  Many of our shipmates have received our welcome aboard messages from our new units, and are beginning to call our sponsors (mentors at our new units).  It is quite surprising how fast time is going by now and how much preparation is going towards departing from Cape may. 

Thursday night during evening cleanups we were all hard at work when we heard Chief Stanton shout, "Abandon Ship!"  It was a drill to enforce teamwork within the company.  Next we heard the vital information being called out, including the ships position, temperature outside and in the water, and if the natives were hostile or not.  We then hustled out to the Parade field to find our designated life raft.  We all had specified items which we had to bring, some brought flashlights and blankets, others brought water and pieces of paper that said food.  Once we were all present and accounted for, we marched around while keeping our life rafts informed us that there was a ship on the horizon and we had been saved!!!  It was a lot of fun, built up the company's morale and helped us work on our teamwork.  Friday morning was a hectic day.  We had graduation support detail this week, instead of marching like the past few weeks.  Tons of responsibility rested on our shoulders to be where we needed to be, when we needed to be there.  We had to hoist colors, set up for graduation, stand watch, and guide traffic.  For some, this was a nerve-racking experience.  This was because there were so many Senior Coast Guard Members around.  Following graduation, we were able to eat lunch with many Senior Chiefs and Master Chiefs that were in for a conference.  It was quite an experience indeed!  We had the opportunity to talk to them about the Coast Guard, their careers, and they also answered many questions we had. 

For most of the late afternoon though, Chief Reno seemed quite angry.  Much angrier than usual.  He kept building up that due to our poor discipline (which although improved is in fact, still lacking), he was going to incentively train us until we were nothing but a puddle of sweat.  Like no I.T. session we had ever had before.  Even though we all thought we conducted ourselves pretty well the past week and were perhaps a little confused on why we were about to have such an intense training session, we knew in the end we had to accept it.  So we ate evening Chow, went back to the squad bay for a quick head break, and got formed up for a promised long night.  Then Chief Reno began to march us off of the Regiment, and towards the water where the Coast Guard Cutters moor up.  We found our way down a very long pier, which happened to be covered in a lot of bird poop.  Once on the pier, from out of nowhere BMC Stanton and BM2 Morgan appeared.  Apparently Chief Reno's anger was a guise, which had definitely fooled us.  Our Company Commanders, led by Chief Stanton, proceeded to tell us how far we've come, and that we had in fact been giving a lot of effort.  They all told us that they were genuinely proud of us, as a 25 foot Response boat from the Coast Guard Station came motoring by.  Chief Stanton told us to take a good look at the boat.  It didn't take long for us to realize that our colors, the Echo flag, was flying on the boat.  The Response Boat then circled around a few times, and then they heaved our colors over to us on the pier.  We all rushed to our colors, which we have been working for, for so long.  We hoisted them on our Guideon and were ecstatic about it.  This moment made everything we have gone through so far in Basic Training worth it.  We then marched back to the Regiment singing cadence, which is only done by senior companies.  All in all it was a great day.

Saturday, this morning, is scheduled for a field day (Cleaning), and then we get to tour some vessels.  We also will get our on base liberty today.  We are set for another great day!

2Ø SEP Ø9

Yesterday Chief Stanton and Petty Officer Morgan marched us out to the pier to tour some CG units including the CGC DEPENDABLE, Ø3 87’s and the small boat station.  Given the size of our company we split into two groups and the recruits being stationed at small boat stations and Aids to Navigation Teams went with Petty Officer Morgan to the station.  Their tour included the 25’ foot response boat and 47’ motor life boat. Chief Stanton took the other half of the company to the 210’ cutter DEPENDABLE.  Both groups toured the 87’ patrol boats including seeing the galley, berthing area, and engine room.  A lot of things began to click as we took our tours and we able to ask questions.  A lot of things we had always wondered about why we do it and now we know.  We were then sent on our on base liberty.  Everyone jetted over to the exchange for much needed toiletries.  From there we broke off to one of our authorized places.  Those included the Harbor View which had pool tables, a juke box, video games and food like pizza, buffalo chicken and ice cream.  We were able to laugh a little and get to know one another.  We were allowed to make phone calls home or come back to the squad bay and work on our uniforms or study.  There was also a movie played in the Ida Lewis auditorium that a few recruits went to.  Our on base liberty was from 1530 to 2045.  Our liberty is a part of training to see how we will handle ourselves in uniform away from our CC’s.

Blog